New Kids On The Block - Concert Review

Fifteen years ago I attended my first concert ever, New Kids On the Block. It was the concert to be at for all us then 12-15 year old girls. Now 15 years later the New Kids have reunited and the fans, sporting big buttons and NKOTB tees, of the past were there to watch the comeback. Some differences between then and now: the age, beer, PARENT CHAPERONS, and the occasional crude jesters made by a Kid on stage. The crudeness of the boys was the low point of the evening. That and funny man Donnie Walhberg trying to top "World F-ing Series" Champion Chase Utley by yelling "World Mother F-ing Champions." At first I was a little upset that a Kid in a Boston baseball hat and Celtics Jersey was mocking our trophy in the streets of Philadelphia, but I quickly remembered that the Red Soxs did not even show up for the World F-ing Series and I let my Philly attitude melt with the music.

The Kids (Men) on the Block gave a show that left the fans wanting more. Their performance was better than I can ever remember and so were their looks; they sure got hotter in their old age. You could also tell KNOTB showed up for their fans, often playing their oldies, and not just to promote their new album, The Block. They played classics like Please Don't Go Girl, Valentine Girl, Cover Girl, Didn't I Blow Your Mind This Time, My Favorite Girl, Step by Step, etc. and enjoyed doing it. To be honest they performed for a straight 3.5 hours and pretty much covered every hit on their albums, with the exception of Funky, Funky X-Mas. They closed the concert out with Hanging Tough and I did not see a hand down in the entire stadium. Us fans still remember how to get it done. Cell phones, instead of lighters, were a blazing.




The NKOTB also played some songs from their new album and some songs of their personal singles. I actually liked the songs from the new album, but I also think Paris Hilton can sing.

Other Thoughts:
Thanks to Amy for scoring us awesome seats, which were located to the left of the stage in the SuperBox. The SuperBox is where all the fabulous people go to watch a concert. HA-Not really, but you have your own bar, waitress, food selections, and bathrooms; the stadium was filled with 99% females, so lines to the bathroom were no joke.


We decided to pre-game the night at McFadden's at the stadium. When we arrived at the bar we were greeted by 100s of screaming ladies just as I imagined. It was a little weird being in a bar with all those women with no men to act as buffers. I am pretty sure the only men in the stadium where the two that I offended with my sarcasm, husbands that were dragged along by their wives (don't get it), homosexuals, and I am pretty sure this guy http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/mis/907736668.html.

Anyway, Natasha Bedingfield opened for NKOTB. She was awesome. She played all her hits and closed with "Unwritten."

And as much as I loved the concert and the boys, it was a little heartening to see these 40 somethings trying so hard to relive their fame. With this said, I do not think this is going to be the last of the NKOTB. They had a sell out show in Philly and I am sure this is not going to be the last we hear of them.....

Knock-Knock Wednesday - Philly Fans

Be sure to read the very small print....I LOVE PHILLY FANS!!!

My Favorite Things - Paris Hilton

( I love this dress by Marc Jacobs.)

I might be in love with Paris Hilton. I loved her in the Simple Life and I love her even more in her MTV series My New Best Friend. She is super funny with her catch phrases and her monotone personalty. She cracks me up. I might set up a profile on her website http://parisbff.com/ to try out for next season's show. Does anyone else share my love for Paris?

I also like her songs Stars Are Blind, I Want You, HeartBeat, Screwed, and Turn It Up. I actually like a lot of her songs. Who would have thought--OH-and do not be surprised if I start rocking some of the jeans from her clothing line. ...I just need to lose about 20 pounds.

Moody Monday - UGH

Today I woke up late and did not have time for coffee. I almost missed an appointment, that I already canceled twice, because of traffic and a train delay. I spent $8 (all the money in my pocket) on a cab to get to the appointment about 15 minutes late, still with no coffee. When I finally got out of the appointment and ready to get my coffee, I realized that I did not have my MAC card or any sort of funds (or a license because I lost it over the weekend). So I hiked my @ss about 15 blocks (should have been only 10, but walked about 2.5 blocks in the wrong direction so I had to back track) back to work on foot in spitting rain; the entire time praying to God to not let it pour because I also did not have an umbrella. And I hate Market Street...that place is a breeding ground for the homeless. UM-that is it. Thank God it is Tuesday.

HOPE ALL OF YOU HAD A BETTER MONDAY.

World Series Stories - Fan Base

The world's newest Phillies fans arrived just in time to see their team win the World Series.
Cole and Chase Ryan were born Monday in Abington, Pennsylvania, and their names have very special meanings. Parents Renee and Chris Ryan named their newborns after their favorite Phillies; one was named Cole after World Series MVP Cole Hamels, the other named Chase after second baseman Chase Utley. The proud parents point out that since their last name is Ryan, their babies actually share names with three Phillies: Hamels, Utley and First Baseman Ryan Howard.

Dafney Tales from the Philadelphia Daily News reports, But one fan may have taken his devotion a bit too far when police say he robbed a bank and later allegedly funded a shopping spree for Phillies gear with the stolen cash. About 10 a.m. yesterday, a man, who police did not identify, entered a PNC Bank on Welsh Road near Roosevelt Boulevard and slipped the teller a demand note. Shortly after, the man, wearing a red and gray hat pulled down over his face and a beige hoodie, fled westbound on Welsh with an undisclosed amount of cash, said a detective from Northeast Detectives.About 20 minutes later, cops found the suspect, who police have not identified, a few miles away coming out of the Modell's Sporting Goods store at the Roosevelt Mall, Cottman and Bustleton avenues.

Kathy Matheson from Associated Press Writer reports, Fans continued the celebration on Thursday, snapping up World Series T-shirts, pennants and hats. At one downtown sporting goods outlet, at least 100 people stood in a line wrapping around the inside of the store as they waited to pay for their merchandise.

The city's two main newspapers, The Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News, sold out of their first run of 350,000 copies and ended up printing another 350,000 to be available by Thursday afternoon, publisher Brian Tierney said.

The Phillies' victory over the Tampa Bay Rays also means Mayor Nutter gets to enjoy a meal of Florida seafood. He won a bet with three Tampa-area officials—St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker, Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard and Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio—who will be sending him coconut shrimp, stone crab claws, Cuban sandwiches, key lime pie and cigars. Had the Phillies lost, Nutter would have been sending cheesesteaks, soft pretzels and Tastykakes to Florida.

• Philly Fans are welcomed to upload pictures and share their World Series experience at the 700 Level

World Series - Everything You Need to Know

Check out MLB.com for awesome coverage on the World Series: the players, the fans, the coaches/managers, the highlights, and the parade. They did an awesome job covering the entire event, including posting videos of each player during the parade and throughout the entire World Series. Check it out--- http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/ps/y2008/index.jsp

OH--and most of the stories and footage are tear jerkers so watch alone.

Charlie Manuel Moments - Philly is the City of Brotherly Love

Hal Bodley Senior Correspondent for MLB.com writes, Just as a TV camera's light flashed on, virtually blinding the skipper (Coach Manuel) for a second or two, closer Brad Lidge -- with a baseball in his hand and followed closely by catcher Carlos Ruiz -- pushed his way through a rapidly growing media mob to get at Manuel.

Lidge stuck his hand between me and a couple other reporters to reach the manager.
"It's for you," a hoarse Lidge said. "Carlos and I have been fighting over it. We decided you should have it."

There was a trace of tearing in Charlie's bright blue eyes as he took the ball.

"That's Mr. Perfect," Manuel said to me, referring to Lidge's 48-for-48 saves docket for the season.

"How about that?" he added, staring at the precious gift and visibly moved.

It was the ball Lidge threw past the Tampa Bay Rays' Eric Hinske, sealing the 4-3 victory and igniting a Philadelphia celebration that will continue until we're all knee-deep in snow. Lidge thought Ruiz, his catcher, should have it. Ruiz said Lidge, the relief ace, should keep it.

Holy Sunday - St. Jude (for my dad)

October 28th marked the feast day of Saint Jude, one of the twelve Apostles of Jesus. Saint Jude is the patron saint of desperate cases, because his New Testament letter stresses that the faithful should persevere in the environment of harsh, difficult circumstances, just as their forefathers had done before them. Saint Jude is also the patron saint of lost causes. Saint Jude is the most called upon saint in modern day prayer.

A common prayer to St. Jude is:

"Most holy apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the name of the traitor who delivered thy beloved Master into the hands of His enemies hath caused thee to be forgotten by many, but the Church honors and invokes thee universally as the patron of hopeless cases, of things despaired of. Pray for me, who am so miserable. Make use, I implore thee, of that particular privilege accorded to thee, to bring visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired of. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and succor of Heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly -- (Mention your request) and that I may praise God with thee and all the elect throughout eternity. I promise, O blessed Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor, and I will never cease to honor thee as my special and powerful patron, and to do all in my power to encourage devotion to thee. Amen."

An alternative prayer is :
“Saint Jude, Hope of the Hopeless, Pray for me.”